Dozens of youngsters have helped to launch a new Bath Rugby club initiative, aimed at encouraging children to live fitter, healthier lives.

The launch of the Bath Rugby Children's Challenge gave children the chance to pit their skills against the pros with activities including trying to sprint faster than wing Tom Biggs, doing as many keepie-uppies as wing Matt Banahan and hula-hooping for longer than lock Dave Attwood.

The challenges are part of Bath Rugby's new Junior Membership Club, which head coach Mike Ford hopes will recruit 10,000 youngsters in the first year.

He said: "Children all over the UK need encouragement and outlets like this if we are to steer them away from a culture that revolves around TV and the sofa.

"We are passionate about increasing our engagement with the kids all over the region and helping them to be active."

City mum Alice Camp echoed the sentiment that children needed to be more engaged with outdoor activities, and at an earlier age.

There with three-year-old daughter, Bella, she said: "The initiative is a brilliant idea. Days like this will get children back outside instead of being inactive inside. It's important that they are encouraged to do so in their formative years, and that's why Bella is signed up already. She already tackles well."

The club is open to boys and girls up to the age of 15 and will see challenge activities at home games in the new rugby season, with benchmarks set by the players.

Ford added: "We see this as a key part of Bath Rugby's legacy – to help and inspire local children. As a club we are very much involved in the local community, either by fundraising or lending a helping hand where needed."

It also gave fans an opportunity to meet their heroes.

Sam Higgs, 16, from Wells, said: "Things like this are good for game of rugby. The media coverage of football is so great that too many people are diverted away from rugby. Hopefully occasions like this can change that."

Children should register online at www.bathrugby.com/fans/jmc to become members of the new club.

Challenges will be set up on the outfield at the Recreation Ground at each home game throughout the season, with spot prizes awarded for effort and a leader board maintained.